As mentioned in various threads here, the A6000 has good features and sells at an attractive price point, the same for the A5000.

But with all the excitement about focusing speed, I find it strange that the cameras do not feature a touch screen.

It might have something to do with all the internet experts always saying they 'don't need gimmicks like touchscreen'. It comes up a lot. Sony started the push and have slowly reduced their reliance on it. While it is definitely useful, it is one of those things that did polarise people's opinions. Seems Sony have worked hard to cut costs (and price) on the a6000, so touch was probably reserved for other models and/or considered 'non-essential'.

The cost to Sony is just a few dollars, if that. I can get a replacement touch screen for my iPhone for under $10 from some vendors, so they are making a profit on top of the profit that the factory is making. It's cheap tech.